Bid Whist Player
Not since high school have I picked up a book and it captured my attention I read it all at once. Picked up Flicking The Bic on release. There is no shortage of sex, violence, and racism in the world of Jean-Max, but damn if Tia Ja'nae doesn't give us a glimpse into the world of 1990s Toronto you had to see to believe. It's the perfect compliment to Vern Smith's Scratching The Flint and does it complete justice in exploring the type of asshole you're glad is dead when the book starts.
When cops are on the beat and can't do their jobs some cops can turn a blind eye, some cops can be corrupt and take a bribe, but some cops just can't let it go. Idealism just eats at them until they get justice the street way. This Canada tale of two cops trying to catch a plugged gangster who isn't paying them dust in the least brings out the absolute worst in them to where the lines get blurred as to who is the good guy and bad guy. Psycho thriller with an ending that was so shocking I can see why the book won an award.
It's great to have a book like this in the toolkit when ready for some personal strengthening and improvements before moving on to the next stage of a journey. These ladies, including the actress Cynda Williams, give you something to sink your teeth into and think. Don't rush getting working through this book. Take your time and let the different emotional principle we've all experienced at some point in life cross your mind to change. It's a bold book if you're willing to stand in the storm until it passes.
First of all I'm so partial to AB Patterson books that no matter what he writes in this series I am here for all of it. My people put me on to this Harry K. and it surpassed even my wildest expectations. This is not a sentimental love and hate story but one of life kicking this guy in the balls every chance it gets and somehow he pushes past the pain and asks for another. Plot's genre typical. Private eye hunting for a person. But the over the top sex and violence that comes with it makes Harry K. irresistible. This is one of the best character-driven washed up cop tales that I've seen since the 80s.